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The culpability of accounting practice in promoting slavery in the British Empire and antebellum United States

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  • Oldroyd, David
  • Fleischman, Richard K.
  • Tyson, Thomas N.

Abstract

The paper considers the culpability of accounting users and practitioners in the practice of slavery in the British Empire and antebellum U.S. from the perspectives of virtue in accounting; 18th and 19th century political opinion on humanity, justice and property rights; and finally accounting's potential to support emancipation in society rather than repression. Through the eyes of contemporaries it shows that accounting can be condemned as morally unjust in its support of slavery for its alienation of the intrinsic property rights of individuals. However, the role of accounting was not entirely negative. On the one hand, it attempted to align the objectives of the agents with the health and safety of the slaves in order to conserve life and preserve the value of the inventory. On the other, it facilitated emancipation in the lead up to freedom, and through the compensation process that was intended to align the objectives of the owners with those of the abolition movement. The manner in which accounting was utilised by both supporters and opponents of slavery illustrates its potential as an agent of social change.

Suggested Citation

  • Oldroyd, David & Fleischman, Richard K. & Tyson, Thomas N., 2008. "The culpability of accounting practice in promoting slavery in the British Empire and antebellum United States," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 19(5), pages 764-784.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:19:y:2008:i:5:p:764-784
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2006.11.005
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Walker, Stephen P., 2004. "Expense, social and moral control. Accounting and the administration of the old poor law in England and Wales," Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, Elsevier, vol. 23(2), pages 85-127.
    2. Preston, Alistair M. & Cooper, David J. & Scarbrough, D. Paul & Chilton, Robert C., 1995. "Changes in the code of ethics of the U.S. accounting profession, 1917 and 1988: The continual quest for legitimation," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 20(6), pages 507-546, August.
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    2. Jensen, Mads Langballe & Agyemang, Gloria & Lehman, Cheryl R., 2021. "Accountabilities, invisibilities and silences in a Danish slave trading company on the Gold Coast in the early 18th century," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    3. Jonida Carungu & Nicola Paolicelli, 2018. "L?intervento della Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena e il contributo del book-keeping nel "render conto" sulla gestione del terremoto del 1798," CONTABILIT? E CULTURA AZIENDALE, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2018(2), pages 85-117.
    4. Dillard, Jesse & Vinnari, Eija, 2017. "A case study of critique: Critical perspectives on critical accounting," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 43(C), pages 88-109.
    5. Richard K. Fleischman & David Oldroyd & Thomas N. Tyson, 2011. "The efficacy/inefficacy of accounting in controlling labour during the transition from slavery in the United States and British West Indies," Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(6), pages 751-780, August.
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    7. Walaa Wahid ElKelish*, 2023. "Accounting for Corporate Human Rights: Literature Review and Future Insights," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 33(2), pages 203-226, June.
    8. Giraudeau, Martin, 2017. "The farm as an accounting laboratory: an essay on the history of accounting and agriculture," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 74106, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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